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Ricordi
Sospeso tra le atmosfere classiche della fantascienza e il thriller dei procedurali polizieschi, "Ricordi" è un romanzo breve costruito su atmosfere intense e questioni profonde.
"Giunsero, come una pestilenza, sospinta dai venti galattici.
Nessuno sapeva da dove venivano, nessuno sapeva dove stavano andando, nessuno sapeva neppure per certo se fossero umani. Un giorno apparivano per offrire i propri servigi, e qualche tempo dopo se ne andavano, con gli scrigni colmi all’inverosimile di sogni infranti e speranze spezzate.”
Ormai al termine di una lunga carriera senza successi, la vita di Gabe è sconvolta dall’arrivo dell’ennesimo Jebediah Burke, una giovane recluta convinta che tutti gli esseri senzienti agiscano in base a un motivo e determinato a scoprire la logica che muove le operazioni degli Zingari.
Daresti, in cambio della tua felicità, la piccola cosa che per te è più cara? Gli Zingari delle Stelle, i "cattivi" a cui Gabe e Jebediah danno la caccia, sono davvero dalla parte del male?
L'AUTORE
Mike Resnick, scrittore di fantascienza americano, è l'autore più premiato al mondo, tra i morti e i viventi.
"Giunsero, come una pestilenza, sospinta dai venti galattici.
Nessuno sapeva da dove venivano, nessuno sapeva dove stavano andando, nessuno sapeva neppure per certo se fossero umani. Un giorno apparivano per offrire i propri servigi, e qualche tempo dopo se ne andavano, con gli scrigni colmi all’inverosimile di sogni infranti e speranze spezzate.”
Ormai al termine di una lunga carriera senza successi, la vita di Gabe è sconvolta dall’arrivo dell’ennesimo Jebediah Burke, una giovane recluta convinta che tutti gli esseri senzienti agiscano in base a un motivo e determinato a scoprire la logica che muove le operazioni degli Zingari.
Daresti, in cambio della tua felicità, la piccola cosa che per te è più cara? Gli Zingari delle Stelle, i "cattivi" a cui Gabe e Jebediah danno la caccia, sono davvero dalla parte del male?
L'AUTORE
Mike Resnick, scrittore di fantascienza americano, è l'autore più premiato al mondo, tra i morti e i viventi.
- GenresScience Fiction
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2004
44 people want to read
About the author
Mike Resnick
815 books555 followersMichael "Mike" Diamond Resnick, better known by his published name Mike Resnick, was a popular and prolific American science fiction author. He is, according to Locus, the all-time leading award winner, living or dead, for short science fiction. He was the winner of five Hugos, a Nebula, and other major awards in the United States, France, Spain, Japan, Croatia and Poland. and has been short-listed for major awards in England, Italy and Australia. He was the author of 68 novels, over 250 stories, and 2 screenplays, and was the editor of 41 anthologies. His work has been translated into 25 languages. He was the Guest of Honor at the 2012 Worldcon and can be found online as @ResnickMike on Twitter or at www.mikeresnick.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 24, 2011
Suggestivo racconto di fantascienza con un'ambientazione molto prototipica e fredda. Da una parte i presunti protagonisti, uomini di legge di un universo futuro ordinato, che proseguono instancabilmente nel loro percorso impostato raramente ponendosi domande, a difesa della popolazione offesa. Dall'altra i presunti acerrimi nemici criminali, esseri apparentemente freddi calcolatori spietati.
Ma in realtà non ci sono gli estremi. Il confine tra buoni e cattivi, tra i giusti e i non giusti ad un certo punto sfuma, e allora anche il lettore comincia a porsi delle domande che all'inizio, forte della naturale immedesimazione con i presunti buoni, non aveva nemmeno pensato di farsi. E allora ci si domanda (ok, io mi sono domandata...): cosa è una persona senza i propri ricordi? Quanto è però accettabile farsi definire da essi, o da uno in particolare, come principale o unica fonte di valore personale? Allo stesso tempo, quanto è sadico accanirsi a voler rubare proprio la cosa più preziosa di qualcun altro, a fronte di uno scopo che assume un po' il sapore di giustificazione?
Ma in realtà non ci sono gli estremi. Il confine tra buoni e cattivi, tra i giusti e i non giusti ad un certo punto sfuma, e allora anche il lettore comincia a porsi delle domande che all'inizio, forte della naturale immedesimazione con i presunti buoni, non aveva nemmeno pensato di farsi. E allora ci si domanda (ok, io mi sono domandata...): cosa è una persona senza i propri ricordi? Quanto è però accettabile farsi definire da essi, o da uno in particolare, come principale o unica fonte di valore personale? Allo stesso tempo, quanto è sadico accanirsi a voler rubare proprio la cosa più preziosa di qualcun altro, a fronte di uno scopo che assume un po' il sapore di giustificazione?
March 20, 2011
Leggendolo ho pensato: strepitoso. Fresco, divertente, con un ritmo perfetto.
Resnick ci porta in giro per la galassia a caccia degli zingari delle stelle, una banda di ladri molto particolare.
Sono vent'anni che il detective Gabe li insegue senza sosta e senza risultati. La sua ossessione mi ha ricordato quella di Zenigata per Lupin (ognuno ha i riferimenti culturali che si merita). Ma Lupin era simpatico mentre gli zingari delle stelle apparentemente sono davvero malvagi. O forse no. La motivazione che ci spinge a fare qualcosa può essere una giustificazione quando ciò che facciamo reca danno e dolore ad altri?
Resnick ci porta in giro per la galassia a caccia degli zingari delle stelle, una banda di ladri molto particolare.
Sono vent'anni che il detective Gabe li insegue senza sosta e senza risultati. La sua ossessione mi ha ricordato quella di Zenigata per Lupin (ognuno ha i riferimenti culturali che si merita). Ma Lupin era simpatico mentre gli zingari delle stelle apparentemente sono davvero malvagi. O forse no. La motivazione che ci spinge a fare qualcosa può essere una giustificazione quando ciò che facciamo reca danno e dolore ad altri?
March 17, 2011
Ma quanto è bravo Resnick a raccontare le fiabe? Anche questa si rivela di un candore fanciullesco e il tema dell'atarassia degli Zingari delle Stelle si snoda senza traumi sconvolgenti o colpi di mano eroici ma con soluzioni civili, coerenti con ottimistiche proiezioni del futuro.
L'accanimento dei due detective un po'ci infastidisce perchè in fondo in fondo facciamo il tifo per una equidistribuzione emozionale e il finale ci darà un po' di ragione.
L'accanimento dei due detective un po'ci infastidisce perchè in fondo in fondo facciamo il tifo per una equidistribuzione emozionale e il finale ci darà un po' di ragione.
April 6, 2011
Un racconto veramente bello, con una cornice fantascientifica dal gusto retrò che non fa altro che esaltare l'essenza del racconto ossia i sentimenti.
April 11, 2011
The kind of story that hooks you and makes you think...
Even with an open ending, well especially with open ending, you are forced to use your imagination...
perhaps a sequel on the way?
Even with an open ending, well especially with open ending, you are forced to use your imagination...
perhaps a sequel on the way?
April 15, 2011
I haven't read science fiction in awhile. Why not? Let's just say it was becoming progressively more difficult to suspend my disbelief as I aged. But hey! Comfort inhibits growth, so I reached back out to the genre.
Well-played.
Sure, I had a little difficulty mentally swallowing fictional planet and species names, but that's symptomatic of bein away from science fiction. If you're a sci-fi lover, this won't concern you at all. If, like me, you're new or returning to the genre, don't worry: your brain gets used to them quicker than you'd think.
"Keepsakes," by Mike Resnick, is about Jebediah and Gabe, two officers in an organized force that specializes in tracking down Star Gypsies. Oh, those Star Gypsies. Right off the bat, I had a bad feeling about them.
With good reason - this race of Gypsies preys on the needy in what seems an unnecessarily-malicious manner. This is their usual modus operandi:
A crop needs to be harvested before it rots and a farmer is at wit's end about how to pull it off during such a rainy season. Enter the Star Gypsies. They offer to help the farmer for a very low price: a low, designated amount of Republic credits and a cheap keepsake that they can remember the experience by.
The farmer agrees and the Gypsies complete the work with credible ethics and quality. But here's the heck of it: Upon collecting their keepsake, they take the object that is most dear to the farmer's heart. Whether it be a photo album with pictures of his deceased wife or his symbiotic pet, the Star Gypsies will run off with it, leaving the farmer to a woeful, empty life.
Now why, why would the Star Gypsies be so cruel? Perhaps an individual would exhibit such malice, but an entire race?!? Doesn't make sense, does it. But there's a reason for all the madness and finding out that reason kept me engrossed in this short ebook.
Gabe, the protagonist, has been on the force for over 20 years. Not only has he failed to capture a Star Gypsy in all that time, he hasn't even seen one. He's assigned a new assistant, Jebediah; the young man hopes to bring a pair of fresh eyes to the case(s).
As he does - the story picks up speed as Jebediah and Gabe discover more details about the Star Gypsy race and are able to confront them in a highly-charged scene on an outlying planet.
Along with an entertaining plot, the story raises some ethical questions:
If the Star Gypsies aren't actually breaking any laws, is it ethically permissible to capture and punish them just for doing something their "victims" find offensive?
"...it's against all logic for rational beings to take pleasure from bringing unhappiness to others."
If this is the case, might not the Star Gypsies have a reason for taking the keepsakes? And, if so, are the officers actually the bad guys (for bringing unhappiness to the Gypsies by capturing them)?
And under what pretense is an all-out war permissible?
Along with asking these heavy questions, reading "Keepsakes" prompted me to consider: Which of my possessions could I not bear to lose? I've been peering at all of my stuff, giving it a suspicious eye.
It's a good question:
Which object/thing could you not live without? If the Star Gypsies claimed a keepsake, what would they take from you?
Well-played.
Sure, I had a little difficulty mentally swallowing fictional planet and species names, but that's symptomatic of bein away from science fiction. If you're a sci-fi lover, this won't concern you at all. If, like me, you're new or returning to the genre, don't worry: your brain gets used to them quicker than you'd think.
"Keepsakes," by Mike Resnick, is about Jebediah and Gabe, two officers in an organized force that specializes in tracking down Star Gypsies. Oh, those Star Gypsies. Right off the bat, I had a bad feeling about them.
With good reason - this race of Gypsies preys on the needy in what seems an unnecessarily-malicious manner. This is their usual modus operandi:
A crop needs to be harvested before it rots and a farmer is at wit's end about how to pull it off during such a rainy season. Enter the Star Gypsies. They offer to help the farmer for a very low price: a low, designated amount of Republic credits and a cheap keepsake that they can remember the experience by.
The farmer agrees and the Gypsies complete the work with credible ethics and quality. But here's the heck of it: Upon collecting their keepsake, they take the object that is most dear to the farmer's heart. Whether it be a photo album with pictures of his deceased wife or his symbiotic pet, the Star Gypsies will run off with it, leaving the farmer to a woeful, empty life.
Now why, why would the Star Gypsies be so cruel? Perhaps an individual would exhibit such malice, but an entire race?!? Doesn't make sense, does it. But there's a reason for all the madness and finding out that reason kept me engrossed in this short ebook.
Gabe, the protagonist, has been on the force for over 20 years. Not only has he failed to capture a Star Gypsy in all that time, he hasn't even seen one. He's assigned a new assistant, Jebediah; the young man hopes to bring a pair of fresh eyes to the case(s).
As he does - the story picks up speed as Jebediah and Gabe discover more details about the Star Gypsy race and are able to confront them in a highly-charged scene on an outlying planet.
Along with an entertaining plot, the story raises some ethical questions:
If the Star Gypsies aren't actually breaking any laws, is it ethically permissible to capture and punish them just for doing something their "victims" find offensive?
"...it's against all logic for rational beings to take pleasure from bringing unhappiness to others."
If this is the case, might not the Star Gypsies have a reason for taking the keepsakes? And, if so, are the officers actually the bad guys (for bringing unhappiness to the Gypsies by capturing them)?
And under what pretense is an all-out war permissible?
Along with asking these heavy questions, reading "Keepsakes" prompted me to consider: Which of my possessions could I not bear to lose? I've been peering at all of my stuff, giving it a suspicious eye.
It's a good question:
Which object/thing could you not live without? If the Star Gypsies claimed a keepsake, what would they take from you?
March 28, 2011
Imagine finding yourself in a desperate situation—perhaps even a matter of life or death—but you have no way to resolve the problem. Suddenly, as if sent from heaven, a Good Samaritan appears and says that he and his friends can help. All they require from you is a small monetary payment and a single object, a “keepsake,” from your home. Would you refuse?
But once the job is completed, how would you react if the one object they take is the thing you treasure above all others—a family heirloom, your wedding pictures, or even a medal of honor? In this sci-fi story, we meet Gabe Mola and his assistant, Jebediah, who have dedicated their careers to bringing down these bandits. Although the group is most commonly known as the Star Gypsies, Gabe’s department knows little else about them except that they leave a path of misery and heartbreak wherever they go. The Star Gypsies look different to each victim, and no one is sure where or when they’ll strike next.
Jebediah is determined to learn as much as he can about the Star Gypsies. He studies all of the department’s case files and talks to some of the victims in an effort to gain more insight. Gabe and Jebediah are able to track down some of the Star Gypsies during an attack, but they find that the Gypsies are more powerful than they originally realized. With the ability to read minds and shape shift as they please, the Gypsies seem to be unstoppable. But in a final effort to take the Star Gypsies down, Gabe and Jebediah are faced with an unthinkable dilemma: to face certain death or to make a deal with the very group they’re trying to arrest.
Keepsakes by Mike Resnick kept me glued to my seat until the very end, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in science fiction. I loved the ironic twist at the end of the story and Gabe’s determination to take down the Star Gypsies, even if it was the last thing he did. It made me wonder how I would really react if faced with a situation like this. Mike Resnick’s easy-to-read style is quickly becoming one of my favorites, and I would recommend his books to any reader.
But once the job is completed, how would you react if the one object they take is the thing you treasure above all others—a family heirloom, your wedding pictures, or even a medal of honor? In this sci-fi story, we meet Gabe Mola and his assistant, Jebediah, who have dedicated their careers to bringing down these bandits. Although the group is most commonly known as the Star Gypsies, Gabe’s department knows little else about them except that they leave a path of misery and heartbreak wherever they go. The Star Gypsies look different to each victim, and no one is sure where or when they’ll strike next.
Jebediah is determined to learn as much as he can about the Star Gypsies. He studies all of the department’s case files and talks to some of the victims in an effort to gain more insight. Gabe and Jebediah are able to track down some of the Star Gypsies during an attack, but they find that the Gypsies are more powerful than they originally realized. With the ability to read minds and shape shift as they please, the Gypsies seem to be unstoppable. But in a final effort to take the Star Gypsies down, Gabe and Jebediah are faced with an unthinkable dilemma: to face certain death or to make a deal with the very group they’re trying to arrest.
Keepsakes by Mike Resnick kept me glued to my seat until the very end, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in science fiction. I loved the ironic twist at the end of the story and Gabe’s determination to take down the Star Gypsies, even if it was the last thing he did. It made me wonder how I would really react if faced with a situation like this. Mike Resnick’s easy-to-read style is quickly becoming one of my favorites, and I would recommend his books to any reader.
April 1, 2011
In the science fiction novella, to law enforcement officials tracked down mysterious "Space Gypsies," who travel between the galaxies tricking people into giving them their most treasured possessions. Who are these people, and why are they doing this? An addictive story that raises questions about morality and human nature.
March 24, 2011
Ricordi è un romanzo breve (abbastanza più lungo dei 40k normali, infatti è il primo 40k Cube). Ed è forse un esempio più classico del talento di Resnick.
L'ambientazione, il setting e l'atmosfera generale sono tipici della fantascienza classica: un futuro lontano, navi spaziali, viaggi tra pianeti, alieni e razze improbabili con tutta la loro biologia speculativa.
Ma la storia -come moltissime delle storie che racconta Mike- è molto letteraria, umana, costruita su una dimensione narrativa che non ha poi tanto a che vedere con la fantascienza. L'idea del genere è solo uno spunto per inserire degli elementi magici o straniati in modo credibile. E il rapporto con il futuro è sempre arricchito da un certo stupore:
Leggi Tutto, disclaimer incluso
L'ambientazione, il setting e l'atmosfera generale sono tipici della fantascienza classica: un futuro lontano, navi spaziali, viaggi tra pianeti, alieni e razze improbabili con tutta la loro biologia speculativa.
Ma la storia -come moltissime delle storie che racconta Mike- è molto letteraria, umana, costruita su una dimensione narrativa che non ha poi tanto a che vedere con la fantascienza. L'idea del genere è solo uno spunto per inserire degli elementi magici o straniati in modo credibile. E il rapporto con il futuro è sempre arricchito da un certo stupore:
"Arriveremo tra 11 minuti e 23 secondi" annunciò il robot mentre l'autobus si precipitava in avanti."
"So che non hai bisogno di guardare la strada, che il veicolo ha dozzine di sensori, e che tu sei solo un suo prolungamento", dissi. "Eppure mi sentirei molto più a mio agio se tu girassi la testa e guardassi avanti".
La trama è molto forte, dissemina indizi e crea suspense e curiosità di andare avanti (e in fondo, pur ambientata nel futuro, è comunque una detective story). Resnick costruisce una di quelle storie che ti legano e che difficilmente ti portano a interrompere la lettura.
I dialoghi sono molto raffinati e i personaggi sono difficili da dimenticare. E c'è un'ironia continua, un apparente cinismo che maschera uno sguardo poetico che scivola continuamente nel testo e nella mente del lettore.
Ed è forse proprio questo sguardo poetico la cifra che fa di Resnick il Resnick che tutti apprezzano. E che rende la sua fantascienza solo un set per costruire spettacoli di magia letteraria.
Leggi Tutto, disclaimer incluso
January 3, 2023
A quick read - although I was hoping for a bit more in the ending. Certainly worth more than the dollar I paid for it.
Read
May 21, 2011Please see my review here.
May 3, 2011
In un universo in cui gli umani hanno colonizzato altri pianeti, spesso soggiogandone gli abitanti, facciamo la conoscenza di Gabriel Mola, un poliziotto che da decenni ha una sola ragione di vita: fermare gli Zingari delle Stelle.
http://librisulibri.it/2011/04/19/ric...
http://librisulibri.it/2011/04/19/ric...
June 9, 2018
Another one of Mike Resnick's dark stories that ultimately reveals insights into the character of man. Kept my interest, but the last third was highly predictable.
Want to Read
April 21, 2024Part of the book: Between Worlds
by Robert Silverberg (Editor),
by Robert Silverberg (Editor),
July 20, 2013
Bazinga! This little read almost makes me wish I could pick favorites without having to qualify it as something like "one of the best novellas..." Oh.
Well, this has me inspired to look up more of Resnick's work, and this is a story I'll definitely remember.
(Read under the title "Keepsakes" on Kindle — I won't editorialize beyond saying I wish it'd just been published with the Italian title.)
Well, this has me inspired to look up more of Resnick's work, and this is a story I'll definitely remember.
(Read under the title "Keepsakes" on Kindle — I won't editorialize beyond saying I wish it'd just been published with the Italian title.)
September 6, 2011
Wasn't too happy about the ending, but otherwise a great read.
October 4, 2011
Una semplice ma buona lettura. Un pò troppo breve per i miei gusti, ti lascia con un senso di 'voglio saperne di più'.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews